County executive declares April as Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month

'Our stewardship of animals is part of what makes us human'

Photos

Photo by Roger Gavan
Suzyn Barron, president of the Warwick Valley Humane Society, holding the Orange County proclamation, poses outside Fetch Restaurant, one of the many businesses displaying an orange awareness ribbon.

GOSHEN — Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus proclaimed April 2014 Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month in Orange County on Friday, April 4.

And at a ceremony that day he presented the signed proclamation certificate to Suzyn Barron, president of the Warwick Valley Humane Society.

"Pet owners understand that dogs, cats, and other animals not only provide us with the pleasures of companionship, they also humanize us in ways few other experiences can," said Neuhaus. "Our stewardship of animals is part of what makes us human, in other words. My administration has a zero-tolerance policy on animal cruelty and animal neglect in Orange County, and I am proud to recognize the work of Warwick Valley Humane Society to reduce animal abuse and find them loving homes."

Barron was also invited that day to speak before the Orange County Legislature.

"Our County of Orange recognizes that animal cruelty exists, even here in our beautiful communities," she said. "Animal cruelty occurs in all socio, economic and cultural denominations as we, as a humane organization, have witnessed on more than several occasions."

Barron reported to the assembly of elected officials that the Warwick Valley Humane Society often assists law enforcement from the New York State Police, Sheriff's Office and local police departments on cases including dog fighting, hoarding, dogs with deeply embedded collars in their necks, abandoned animals in remote areas, emaciated pets due to starvation, and animals living in deplorable conditions, both inside and outside the home.

"It's not pretty and it usually smells so bad that other agencies won't enter the premises," she said. "But the animals need us, and we are there."

During the entire month of April the Warwick Valley Humane Society will join with the ASPCA in Going Orange for Animals in an effort to raise awareness to the suffering and crime of animal abuse and neglect.

"By displaying orange ribbons on store windows, wearing orange lapel pins and bracelets and receiving Proclamations from our Towns and County, we can call attention to the need to be the voice for those who cannot speak," said Barron.

Many of the businesses in Warwick are currently displaying the orange awareness ribbons.